The project Home took place over two years, bringing together ten artists and hundreds of participants from two countries to explore the notion of home.

Three teams of artists (choreographer, filmmaker and composer) worked with performers in three locations (East London and Somerset in the UK and Washington DC in the USA) to make three dance-based film and video pieces. 

The project was based at Newham Sixth Form College (NewVIc). NewVIc is one of the largest Sixth Form Colleges in England, located in Newham in London’s East End. Newham is one of the city’s most culturally diverse communities and also one of the country’s most deprived areas. In 2000 it was estimated that over half the population is from black and Asian communities, with the proportion higher among younger residents. There are more then 30 ethnic minority communities in the borough. The project was developed as a response to this context. Home explores issues of enforced migration, conflict, refugees and generational responses to the multicultural context of east London.

 

Jo worked with the teams of artists to develop their projects and also choreographed the London project. In London, she worked with Anton Califano, the director, and Robert Wells, the composer, and a cast of twenty-six people to make the film Home. The cast consists of students from six schools in Newham and their families, along with two professional performers and community members. The film was produced by Dhiraj Mahey of Primal Pictures and shot by a professional crew, with trainees from the schools.

The Washington DC project was led by Krissie Marty. The Taunton project was led by Cassie Jones.

 

The integration of the students’ families into the project sought to strengthen support networks for the students, widen opportunities for participation in arts activities to include siblings, parents and grandparents and to offer families an opportunity to discuss issues arising in the project together.

 

Home premiered at Stratford Picture House, east London in July 2002. It has since been screened at dance and film festivals in London, Monaco, Barcelona, Hamburg, New York and Cologne, as well as at many conferences and independent screenings internationally.

 

Funded by Arts Council England; Awards for All; NewVIc; NESTA and Primal Pictures